found many interesting passages, illustrative of manners and customs of the period, which have been omitted by previous editors. The plot has a strong resemblance to part of that of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Pari-Banou, in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. Madame d'Aulnoy's story is, however, by far the best of the two.
Belle-Belle, ou le Chevalier Fortuné.—This is another great favourite, but it has been always called in English versions, "Fortunio, or the Fortunate Knight." Now there is a story in "The Collection," "Les Illustres Fées," entitled, "Fortunio," and the appropriation is more reprehensible on that account. "Le Chevalier Fortuné," also, does not mean the fortunate knight. Fortuné is the name by which Belle-Belle passes at the court of King Alfourite, Chevalier being the title prefixed to it.
Le Pigeon et la Colombe.—This appears in "The Collection," but I am not aware that there has been any other version of it. It is feebler in plot than many of the others, but there is considerable grace and feeling in the treatment of it. There seems to be no reason for Constancio's concealment from the Queen of the fact of Constancia's being a Princess, and consequently a fitting match for him, except the one that has been urged on another occasion, and of which I cannot dispute the importance, namely, that the revelation of it would immediately put a stop to the story.
La Princesse Belle-Etoile et le Prince Cheri—This Fairy Tale, which has acquired so much popularity in every form, is substantially the same with that of "Les deux Sœurs Jalouses de leur Cadette," in Galland's version of "Les Milles et une Nuits." Where Madame d'Aulnoy found the original story, if it be indeed of eastern origin, (which, however, admits of a doubt,) does not appear;[1] not that she gives any hint that she is indebted for it to anything but her own fertile imagination. That the story has been embellished by that imagination will be admitted by all who compare the two. The stars on the forehead, and the gold chains round the neck, are fancied in the true spirit of Fairy Tale telling; and very superior to the ugly notion of a prince with silver
- ↑ See Additional Note, p. 619.
